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Luis Santana - Photographer

Photographer

I started out as a firefighter, then a paramedic. Later on, I moved into freelance photography, taking pictures for local news agencies. That led to a career change after I caught the attention of photo editors at the then-St. Petersburg Times. I joined the staff on June 6, 2006 (and no, I’m not superstitious about all those 6s). I became one of the first journalists in the area to use drones, and now, that work has been celebrated and seen around the world. I specialize in covering breaking news, from the ground and in the air. Protests and parades. Hurricanes and wildfires. Sinkholes and speeding cars. I also live-stream events for a growing digital audience. I’m a husband, a father of three and a dog dad.

  1. Electronic music fans dance in front of the main stage during the Sunset Music Festival on Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Tampa.
  2. Laura Henderson waves a flag as fans watch the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs during round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during a watch party at the St. Petersburg Pier on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in St. Petersburg.
  3. Spectators look on from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park as the Hillsborough River is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day during the annual River O' Green festival, Friday in Tampa.
  4. People browse and shop for items during Localtopia at Williams Park on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in St. Petersburg.
  5. Walter Evans enseña Shotokan, una forma tradicional de karate, y Sanuces Ryu jujitsu a estudiantes principiantes el lunes 9 de mayo de 2022 en el Centro Recreativo North Greenwood en Clearwater. Evans fundó la Escuela de Supervivencia Shihan en 2005 y ofrece programas que combaten el aumento de la obesidad juvenil, la diabetes, la violencia, el acoso escolar, las actividades de pandillas, el comportamiento delictivo, el suicidio, el uso de drogas y otros problemas sociales.
  6. Walter Evans teaches Shotokan, a traditional form of karate, and Sanuces Ryu jujitsu to beginner students on May 9 at the North Greenwood Recreation Center in Clearwater. Evans founded the Shihan School of Survival in 2005 and offers programs that combat the increase of youth obesity, violence, suicide, drug use and other societal issues.
  7. Dec. 18, 2022• Sports
  8. People line the Riverwalk to watch hundreds of illuminated boats make their way down the Hillsborough River as they take part in the Christmas Boat Parade Saturday in Tampa.
  9. Friends dance to music while waiting out a rain delay after thunderstorms delayed the game between Zephyrhills and IMG Academy for over an hour on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Zephyrhills.
  10. The Weeknd performs on stage during the After Hours Til Dawn Tour at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 in Tampa.